Press Releases
Appalachian citizens react to Trump administration proposal to close job-training centers
CONTACTS: Adam Wells, Regional Director of Community and Economic Development, adam@appvoices.org, 276-807-8269 Cat McCue, Communications Director, cat@appvoices.org, 434-293-6373 The Department of Labor today published notice in the Federal Register regarding proposed closure of nine federal job-training centers around the country. The Trump administration announced the news last Friday, as people were making plans and starting…
Read MoreSolar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia recognized in national competition
Contacts: Chelsea Barnes, New Economy Program Manager chelsea@appvoices.org, 276-207-9636 Cat McCue, Communications Director cat@appvoices.org, 434-293-6373 The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office has recognized the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia in a national competition that supports community groups for innovative solar programs and their ability to reach new markets. Known as the “Solar…
Read MoreNew coalition launches to reform Virginia energy policy
MEDIA CONTACTS Cat McCue, 434-293-6373, cat@appvoices.org Cassady Craighill, 828-817-3328, cassady@cleanvirginia.org Peter Vicenzi, (202) 942-7621, pvicenzi@freedomworks.org Richmond – Nine organizations representing a wide range of public policy ideologies introduced the Virginia Energy Reform Coalition today, an unprecedented coalition united to reform Virginia’s energy market. Speaking from Richmond, coalition representatives announced their policy goals including implementing performance-based…
Read MoreDuke Energy boosted political donations to prep for major legislative initiative
CONTACT: Matt Wasson, Appalachian Voices matt@appvoices.org, 828-773-0788 Jim Warren, NC WARN jim@ncwarn.org, 919-416-5077 A report out today from a coalition of 14 community and environmental justice organizations reveals that Duke Energy skewed its political campaign contributions last year in order to gain support from Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue and other lawmakers instrumental in reviewing…
Read MoreSouthwest Va. group plans for more solar energy in coal region
CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes New Economy Program Manager Appalachian Voices chelsea@appvoices.org (276) 207-9636 The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia is seeking bids for 12 solar projects totalling 2.73 megawatts of energy generation as part of its Commercial-Scale Group Purchase Program. The projects to be developed on businesses, nonprofits and local government properties across Lee, Scott, Tazewell,…
Read MoreNCDEQ orders Duke Energy to fully excavate remaining coal ash sites
Today’s decision by the DEQ requiring Duke Energy to excavate all of its six remaining coal ash sites is a testament to the determination of the people living near these toxic sites who have been calling on the state for strong cleanup measures for years.
Read MoreSouthwest Virginia awarded grants for innovative coal mine reclamation projects
CONTACT Chelsea Barnes New Economy Program Manager chelsea@appvoices.org, (276) 207-9636 Norton, Va. — Ten community revitalization projects that will reclaim old coal mining sites in Southwest Virginia will receive $10 million in grant money administered by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. The grants come through congressional funding for the Abandoned Mine Lands…
Read MoreVirginia water board abandons pursuit of Mountain Valley Pipeline permit revocation
Today, the Virginia State Water Control Board unanimously voted to reverse course in pursuing revocation of Mountain Valley Pipeline’s Clean Water Act § 401 certification. In December, 2018, the board voted 4-3 to consider revoking the project’s certification, but today, after nearly four hours of deliberation with a representative of the Attorney General’s office, the…
Read MoreSouthwest Va. solar group seeks local partners for group purchase program
CONTACT Chelsea Barnes New Economy Program Manager chelsea@appvoices.org, (276) 207-9636 The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia has announced an opportunity for businesses, government and nonprofit entities to go solar and save money on electricity bills through its second Commercial-Scale Solar Group Purchase. In 2018, the workgroup successfully facilitated its first Commercial-Scale Solar Group Purchase for…
Read MoreGroups target Duke Energy to end monopoly control of NC electric system
Social justice and clean energy groups call for state leaders to allow energy choice, saying hurricanes, rising electric rates, other harms show state system is broken Raleigh N.C. – A new, diverse coalition of 15 local, state and national groups today launched what they called a vigorous statewide campaign to end Duke Energy’s monopoly control…
Read More